Effects of oestrogen on cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women

A number of randomized clinical trials have investigated the role of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in primary and secondary prevention of clinical and anatomical manifestations of atherosclerosis. There is mounting evidence that HRT does not slow the progression of clinical or anatomical manifestations of atherosclerosis in women with established disease. Indeed, there appears to be a pattern of increased risk among new users of HRT. In contrast, there are encouraging new data that suggest that HRT may be more effective in women who have not yet developed clinical manifestations of coronary disease. (C) 2001 The European Society of Cardiology.